The Wednesday Walkers ventured out to Tibag for a change of scenery. I always enjoy the beauty of the area, but because there is no easy way to get there without a vehicle, it’s a trip we only make once or twice a year. There were eight of us yesterday, and Ed squeezed us all into his Toyota Club cab pickup truck. It was a beautiful morning for a hike, right up to the point where we began to head back (meaning the furthest we would be from our transportation) when it began raining. Oh well, it did have a cooling effect, and once you are wet, what difference does it make?
A Google-eye view of our there and back again 7K routeGathering up at our meeting spot for the drive out to Naugsol and the start of our hike.We have arrived. The two gals are friends of my new landlord and were visiting with her from Manila. They invited themselves along, and I told them everyone was welcome. They seemed to enjoy themselves and found the mountainous surroundings awesome. Of course, compared to the shithole city of Manila, Tibag is paradise on earth.Our pre-hike group shot.Let’s roll!This house sits right on the river, and it’s for sale. Hmm. I do love this area, but it is just a tad too isolated for my blood.The proverbial house on the hillPassing through the unmanned military checkpointMarching onwardOn the road to TibagMushrooms growing on a log is a rare thing to see.A view of mountains I don’t see every day is a nice change.The road goes up to get to Tibag. It’s nothing crazy, just a gradual climb.How the locals liveGetting close now.When you ain’t the fastest or the slowest in the group, you frequently walk alone.Scott and one of the new girls, Doris, bringing up the rear.Tibag countrysideSome of the group crossed this bridge and looked for a suitable trail on the other side of the river. This time of year (rainy season and high grass), it is not a good option.I didn’t feel compelled to take my chances on this dicey construction.We hung out with a couple of the locals, waiting for the bridge crossers to return.Here they come.The local schoolhouseA happy cookie recipientLeaving the pavement behind for a bit.A horny goatStuart’s new friendSplendor in the grassA stare fight with a carabao…I won!Regrouping on the pavement after the rain began coming down.They’ve built a landfill just past Tibag, and periodically we’d make way for these big-ass trucks full of garbage to pass by.A farm in the dale…What a rainy day in Tibag looks likeThe ducks seemed to be enjoying the weather.We all made it back to the truck, wetter but no wiser. Fortunately, the rain stopped and the guys riding in the back didn’t have to suffer.
I went straight home after the hike as I had a meeting with the landlord to sign a lease extension. Basically, I’ll pay my rent one year in advance, which helps her fund the ongoing repairs on the house. I initially only agreed to pay four months in advance, but I’m more comfortable now that everything is legit. Swan is moving her stuff out this weekend, so the time for the realignment is nearly upon us. We are going to have a get-together next week with some family and trusted friends of Swan’s, which I guess is our coming out with the “we’ll be living together” announcement. I’m still taking it one day at a time, but I feel a little more confident now that we can work it out.
The feeding at Hideaway went well. I again purchased food for the girls from the local vendor.
That’s her and her basket of goodies. I guess selling thirteen dinners in one go makes her day. She seemed happy about it.Joy loved her some chicken.
After Hideaway, I headed to the Green Room. Turns out, I’ve really created a problem for myself there. As soon as I sat down, I had several girls surrounding me. I absolutely hate that! It’s worse than dogs begging at the dinner table with those hungry eyes. Again, I’m not opposed to buying a lady drink or two, but I get to choose the when and the who. I finished my beer and left without buying any. And I even had a coupon that gave me a free beer if I bought a lady drink. I’m either going to have to toughen up and tell the girls there to leave me the hell alone or find another bar. There are plenty of options, after all.
Like next door at Alaska Club.
It was the day after Joy’s birthday, so I bought her a drink and used my coupon to get me a free beer. I only bought one, though.
I did my nightcap next door at Wet Spot (the Maze really is aMAZEing in that regard), got myself a beer, and had a sandwich delivered from Sit-n-Bull (also next door) along with some food for my waitress and her pals. And that was it for me last night.
Tonight’s challenge. This is the last chance to use the coupon before it expires. There are seven SOB bars. Can I make it to all of them without losing consciousness? Only one way to find out!Facebook memories reminded me of a meme I created years ago in Korea. It seems appropriate for tonight’s challenge.
Drink responsibly, you say?
Wish me luck!
Back tomorrow with a full report. Hopefully.
2 thoughts on “A wet Tibag”
Oh well, it did have a cooling effect, and once you are wet, what difference does it make?
Hiker’s pragmatism. I love it.
Mushrooms growing on a log is a rare thing to see.
It’s a beautiful picture. I wonder, though, whether the PI has a mushroom culture like in Korea and Japan, where you can see logs deliberately set up to lean against each other, with holes drilled into their surfaces for cultivated mushrooms.
Scott and one of the new girls, Doris, bringing up the rear.
How has Scott’s ankle been holding up?
What a rainy day in Tibag looks like
I’m fine with rain as long as (1) there’s no mud to contend with, and (2) it’s not cold. Rain and cold together are the pits: they sap your soul.
Careful with the drinking. That’s the major source of your carbs, I think.
There is no mushroom culture here that I’ve observed. The log in the photo is lying randomly on the roadside amongst the usual litter. How those mushrooms came to call it home is a mystery.
Scott’s ankle seems completely healed now. We tease him sometimes about being slow, but honestly, he takes a lot of the photos I share here. That takes time and makes you fall behind. I think I will start adding an “SP” on his shots to properly acknowledge his contributions.
Beer, pecan pie, and ice cream are my carby addictions. But I’m going to continue enjoying my life while I have it.
Oh well, it did have a cooling effect, and once you are wet, what difference does it make?
Hiker’s pragmatism. I love it.
Mushrooms growing on a log is a rare thing to see.
It’s a beautiful picture. I wonder, though, whether the PI has a mushroom culture like in Korea and Japan, where you can see logs deliberately set up to lean against each other, with holes drilled into their surfaces for cultivated mushrooms.
Scott and one of the new girls, Doris, bringing up the rear.
How has Scott’s ankle been holding up?
What a rainy day in Tibag looks like
I’m fine with rain as long as (1) there’s no mud to contend with, and (2) it’s not cold. Rain and cold together are the pits: they sap your soul.
Careful with the drinking. That’s the major source of your carbs, I think.
There is no mushroom culture here that I’ve observed. The log in the photo is lying randomly on the roadside amongst the usual litter. How those mushrooms came to call it home is a mystery.
Scott’s ankle seems completely healed now. We tease him sometimes about being slow, but honestly, he takes a lot of the photos I share here. That takes time and makes you fall behind. I think I will start adding an “SP” on his shots to properly acknowledge his contributions.
Beer, pecan pie, and ice cream are my carby addictions. But I’m going to continue enjoying my life while I have it.